Monday, December 31, 2012

Science Club practiced making and recording hypothesis through a "Water Color Experiment". Students had 3 cups with 2 of the cups holding colored water. Then paper towels were placed in the cups to form an "m". Each group had to make and record a hypothesis about what would happen in the 3rd empty cup. The results were very cool to see! The colors traveled through the paper towel and mixed in the 3rd cup. Many of the groups' hypothesis were true!

The "Science" Behind Our Experiment:

"This process is called 'capillary action', the water uses this process to move along the tiny gaps in the fiber of the paper towels. It occurs due to the adhesive force between the water and the paper towel being stronger than the cohesive forces inside the water itself. This process can also be seen in plants where moisture travels from the roots to the rest of the plant."

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

On Thursday, December 13th, elementary students had a trip to The Fernbank Museum of Natural History! Students saw an I-MAX film all about African Elephants and visited the “Winter Wonderland" exhibit. This holiday-inspired exhibition features trees and other displays decorated by local cultural partners that recognize celebrations including Christmas, Hanukkah and the Festival of Lights, as well as traditions and practices like origami, indigenous art and national symbols. The exhibition twinkle with lights, glimmer with color, and shine with a variety of cultural ornaments and emblems that recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions and events around the world. Everyone enjoyed this and the other museum exhibits before and after the scheduled movie and lunch times.

Fulton Science Academy Private School has hosted Paul Stewart's reptile show this past Tuesday, December 11. From rare geckos to rattlesnakes, students learned about unusual reptiles firsthand. While there was a “No Touch” policy, getting to see the World’s Top 2 Strangest Water Turtles, a Giant Tortoise, and Burmese Python close up was enough to thrill students. Students had a great time and had all of their questions answered about reptiles.

On Monday, December 17, Fulton Science Academy Private School students took safety into their own hands. Allison and David Neal along with Dawn Boone from Revved Up Kids, conducted a safety and self defense workshop with the students in PE class.

Several stations were set up where students learned capture avoidance techniques and were able to practice them on the instructors or on the punching dummy. In addition to the physical part of the workshop, students were given information about safe distances, strong voices and strong stances. They discussed what happens when being grabbed around the neck,and how to get away from that choke hold.

Being aware from the start of our surroundings is the first step to safety is something that Allison stressed to the students. Another was listening to your own intuition when knowing something is off or feels strange. "I have spoken to many victims, they all have shared with me that they knew they were going to be attacked but just did not listen to their instincts to get out of the situation before it escalated." Said Allison. "Listen to your instincts, they are your best first line of defense. They might appear as a fluttering in your stomach, chills, goosebumps, or sometimes you will feel the hair on the back of your neck rise."

Revved Up Kids has been teaching self-defense to children and teens throughout Atlanta since 2010. "We were in the process of developing a middle school workshop when Mrs. Teeling contacted us, through one of Fulton Science Academy's parents." Allison said, "we were very excited to have the opportunity to work with these students and get their feedback. It is feedback we can use to create a program that is interesting, fun and delivering valuable life saving information at the same time."

"That was awesome!" One student said....."I learned some new information about where to hit an attacker." Another student said "I knew about eyes as a target, but I didn't know about the ears." Mrs. Teeling explained that the students just learned about the ears and had discussed hearing loss and decibels.

Some of the feedback was interesting too...some students suggested a video in addition showing real life scenarios, more kick moves because they felt kids would be more likely to kick in self defense more than using their hands.

"I think the students had a good time, " said Mrs. Teeling, "they liked the hands on or kicking part of the workshop the best, but there was some really excellent real world information given during the short talks. I think the best thing was that students were talking about it amongst themselves or to other teachers, even Principal Sener heard from the students. We all know they wouldn't say it, if they did not have a great time."

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Students in Science Olympiad are preparing their building events for the upcoming Science Olympiad competition. Students stay after club times and weekends to work with their coaches. Students use different designs and test them to receive best results. Working on these building events improves their skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields.

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Anytime Fitness comes in to show FSAPS Middle school what personal training is all about. Tim Whitted has been a personal trainer for 12 years. He brought that experience to the students along with two gym owners Jeremy Fitzpatrick, and Davin Lester. Together, they put the students through their paces. Jeremy owns the location at Crabapple (Roswell) and Davin has two locations one in Milton and one in Alpharetta.

After talking about the careers possible in the fitness industry and what it takes to get the Tim and Jeremy spoke about major muscle groups, and sports specific training before starting the work out. Students did a variety of skill drills as well as agility training and stretching. Tim administered a few fitness tests to see some of the students individual skills and fitness levels.

Mrs. Teeling said, "it was great to see the kids doing these drills. I think they have a deeper appreciation of what a trainer does as well as getting a more specific work out." Andrew, one of the students who could not work out because of a recent surgery said " I wish I could participate." He said with a longing glance towards the students, "It looks a lot like the drills I do for football. The foot work is very similar and we do drills in square shapes as well."

"The kids are doing a great job, they are engaged and interested." Tim said of the classes, "My goal here today was to try and make it fun for them, teach them proper form and expose them to the careers open to them in the fitness field."

"The kids had a great time with the trainers and I know they got a great work out. I am also sure that some of them will have some sore muscles tomorrow." Said Mrs.Teeling. "The students got a great mix of cardio and some stretching, they had skill drills and agility training....oh and thinking quick on their feet as well." Talking of how Tim threw a ball as they did laps.

"I am so thankful that the Anytime Fitness trainers and owners came today and I know the kids were too!"

NASA Soccer Coach, Phillip Teeling was the guest teacher in PE class. Students dribbled and knocked down targets, they also played keep away while working on ball skills. The students had several competitions using the drills and skills they worked on in class. The children finished up their class time with a scrimmage.

"Students had a great time. I was pleased to see so many smiles and so many sweaty faces." Mrs. Teeling said, "The kids have been asking to play soccer this whole nine weeks, and I was lucky I knew a professional in this sport, it was only a matter of finding a date that would work for the Coach."

Students were very competitive during the scrimmage and several cries of "Gooooooaaaaaalllll" could be heard echoing down the hallways. They had a great time and they learned a few things too, especially the non-soccer players. "It was a little scary for me because I didn't know anything, I mean I don't play soccer. But this was fun." One student commented.

"I was surprised at some of the students enthusiasm." Coach Phil said, "There was also quite a few students who you could tell already knew their way around the soccer field. I had a good time today with the students, it was fun for me and I hope the students enjoyed themselves." Yes they did Coach Phil, thanks for coming to FSAPS today and bringing soccer to our students.